My Ex Billionaire Want His Heir Back

Dahlia's POV The grand double doors of the manor swung open, and I stepped into the foyer expecting the usual warm glow of the chandelier. The darkness hit me first. I froze in the entryway with my shopping bags clutching my fingers and my heart hammered against my ribs. “Hello,” I called out into the void. “Hello!!! Dad? Is anyone there?” The silence stretched for a terrifying second before the crystal chandelier blazed to life and blinded me. My eyes closed, feeling the light hit my skin. "Happy Birthday!" A loud group of voices shouted happily. What?! I opened my eyes, shocked to see a large crowd of every face I knew smiling at me. I blinked the spots from my vision to see my father. He was walking toward me with a massive cake illuminated by flickering candles. A wide grin stretched across his face as he came close. The fear melted into pure joy and I dropped my bags to rush toward him. “Happy Birthday, Princess. Make a wish,” he said. I blew the candles and a louder cheer rose. My friends surrounded me in a flurry of hugs and designer perfume, stretching their hands filled with gift bags. “Thanks, guys. This is insane. Oh, my. Thanks, Christie,” I said, accepting their presents, hugging them one after the other. Soon, I was alone as they danced to the music in pairs. I scanned the room while accepting a glass of champagne from a waiter. Then, my gaze landed on him. Julian Thorne, my crush and my father's best friend. He stood near the fireplace with one hand in his pocket and a glass of scotch in the other. He looked hot in a black suit that fit his broad shoulders perfectly. “I see the way you look at him,” a voice came from beside me. I quickly snapped out of whatever moment I was having. I turned to find Stacy smiling at me. She was a bit older than me, about two years older, and now she kinda she knows better. “I don't know what you are talking about,” I immediately denied. She laughed, taking a sip from her glass. “Haven't you ever wondered why the man never got married? Girl, open your eyes. He is dangerous, like really dangerous. Not the kind you read in books. I heard the only woman who ever made it to be his fiancée was killed by his enemies a day to their wedding.” “Why didn't I ever hear about it?” “Because he only wants see what he wants them to see.” I stared at her quietly for a couple of seconds. “I don't know why you are telling me all this,” I said before quickly walking away from her. There was always rumours about him and I didn't believe any of them because I knew Julian. He wasn't a monster. He was misunderstood. I had eyes on him for like forever. He was the only man I thought was perfect for me. I had always thought of him and now I was going to make my move tonight. He caught my eye and offered a small, polite smile. All I had to do was wait until he was done talking with those annoying women. That took forever. I spent the next hour dodging congratulations and mindless chatter from boys my age who bored me to tears. I waited until the crowd thinned and Julian moved toward the terrace. I followed him. The night air was cool against my bare arms but the champagne buzzed warmly in my blood. I walked up to him and held out a fresh glass of champagne. "Thank you for coming, Julian," I said softly. He turned and his ocean blue eyes crinkled at the corners. “Hey, Dahlia. What have you got there?” His eyes warmed, sparkling when he met mine. The butterflies danced in my stomach happily sending me to la la land. He took the glass and set it on the stone railing then reached out to ruffle my hair. I hated when he did that. "I wouldn't miss it for the world, Dahlia. You are my best friend's little princess after all. Happy eighteenth birthday." What would it take you to call me your darling? Can't you stop treating me like Dad does? I hate it. My mind complained. The word princess tasted like ash. He saw me as a child. He saw me as a responsibility. I forced a smile. “Yeah. Thanks, again, Julian.” The dull ache in my chest grew heavier. I watched him finish his drink and check his watch. “Excuse me. I have to leave now. I hope you like my present.” He walked past, leaving me sad and I couldn't stand it. I made a reckless decision in that split second. I slipped away from the party and ran through the garden to the driveway where his black sedan was parked. The driver was nowhere in sight. I opened the back door and slid onto the floorboard then pulled the door shut just as I heard heavy footsteps crunching on the gravel. “I hope you'll like my gift to you,” I murmured and lay low. The car door opened and Julian got in. The engine purred to life and we were moving. I held my breath the entire ride. I waited until the car stopped and I heard the garage door rumble shut. Julian got out and I waited ten seconds before I scrambled out of the car. He was at his front door with his keys in hand when I spoke. "Surprise." Julian spun around. His keys jangled as his hand flew to his chest. “Jesus Christ!” He exclaimed. His eyes were wide then he relaxed when he saw it was me. “Dahlia,” he said, looking around and then frowned. “Damn it.” Did he just curse? He never curses. "Dahlia? What on earth are you doing here?" I smoothed down my short skirt and walked toward him. "I fell asleep in the car waiting for you. I didn't mean to scare you." He frowned and stepped closer to scan me for injuries. "Really? I was with you a minute before I went downstairs.” He had caught me lying, but I wasn't giving up. He came forward. “Are you hurt? Did anything happen?" I shook my head. “What could possibly happen to me in your car?” His eyes darkened for a second, then he looked down at his watch and sighed. "It's late. Get back in the car. I'm driving you home before Marcus has a heart attack." "No," I said stubbornly. "I'm too tired. I can't go back there right now. I can sleep here." "Dahlia, this isn't a sleepover. Get in the car," he ordered. I wasn't wasting my chance. I ignored him and pushed past him to the front door. I knew the code. I punched it in and the lock clicked. “Dahlia,” he called. I walked inside his house and kicked off my heels. I felt his eyes on me. My short skirt got shorter every time I moved. My hips swayed and I felt the thong move deeper into my butt on the bodytight dress. “Holy hell,” he muttered behind me, his breath shivering. It was low but I had caught it and smiled, biting my lower lip. He was falling for it and I was going to make sure i got what I've always wanted I was eighteen now after all.